ILLUMINATED ARTIFICIAL TREE

Abstract

An illuminated artificial tree having a center pole with mounts thereon for receiving and supporting branches about the center pole and means for providing electricity to electrical lighting about each branch individually so that the electrical lighting about each individual branch can be replaced without affecting the electrical lighting about the other branches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the method of applying lights to artificial trees in the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an illuminated artificial tree comprising one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a branch being attached to a mount in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the top and bottom halves of the center pole in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connected center pole in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a mount in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the top piece of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

Claims

1. An illuminated artificial tree comprising: a center pole;a plurality of branches positioned about the center pole, each branch comprising a single string of electrical lights mounted thereon;a plurality of mounts secured on the center pole, each mount for supporting a plurality of branches with the branches being positioned at spaced apart intervals about the center pole;each mount comprising a plurality of cavities, each cavity for removably receiving one of the branches;means within each cavity for providing electricity to the string of lights of the branch associated therewith so that the string of lights can be replaced without affecting other strings of lights on other branches; andmeans for providing electricity within the center pole and into the cavities of the mounts.

2. The tree according to claim 1 wherein the center pole comprises a bottom portion and a top portion coupled together by a plug, the plug received into a female receiver having a sleeve extending therearound.

3. The tree according to claim 1 wherein the means for providing electricity within the center pole is a power cord system, the power cord system comprising a plurality of power cords and wires.

4. The tree according to claim 1 wherein the means within each cavity for providing electricity to the string of lights comprises electrical contacts within each cavity connected to the means for providing electricity within the center pole; electrical contacts on one end of each branch; and wiring extending from the electrical contacts on the branch to a light string receiving plug for receiving a fusible link plug on the string of lights about the branch.

5. The tree according to claim 1 wherein each branch comprises a proximal and distal end, the proximal end comprising a boot incorporated thereon for engaging the branch into the cavity of the mount.

6. The tree according to claim 5 wherein the boot comprises electrical contacts for engaging receiving electrical contacts within the cavity connected with the means for providing electricity within the center pole, wiring extending from the electrical contacts of the boot to a light string receiving plug for receiving a fusible link plug on a string of lights strung about the branch.

7. The tree according to claim 5 wherein the boot is removably coupled with the proximal end of the branch.

8. An illuminated artificial tree, comprising: a center pole;a plurality of branches positioned about the center pole, each branch comprising a proximal and distal end, and a single string of electrical lights mounted thereon;a plurality of mounts secured on the center pole, each mount for supporting a plurality of branches with the branches being positioned at spaced apart intervals about the center pole;each mount comprising a plurality of cavities, each cavity for removably receiving one of the branches;a power cord system within the center pole comprising a plurality of power cords and wires for providing electricity within the center pole and into the cavities of the mounts;electrical contacts within each cavity receiving power from the power cord system and transferring power to electrical contacts on the proximal end of each branch such that a string of lights associated therewith can be replaced without affecting other strings of lights on other branches; anda light receiving plug coupled with the electrical contacts on the proximal end of the branch for receiving a fusible link plug on one end of the string thereby providing electrical power to the string of lights.

9. The tree according to claim 8 wherein the center pole comprises a bottom portion and a top portion coupled together by a plug, the plug received into a female receiver having a sleeve extending therearound.

10. The tree according to claim 8 wherein each branch comprises a proximal and distal end, the proximal end comprising a boot incorporated thereon for engaging the branch into the cavity of the mount.

11. The tree according to claim 10 wherein the boot comprises electrical contacts for engaging receiving electrical contacts within the cavity connected with the means for providing electricity within the center pole, wiring extending from the electrical contacts of the boot to a light string receiving plug for receiving a fusible link plug on a string of lights strung about the branch.

12. The tree according to claim 10 wherein the boot is removably coupled with the proximal end of the branch.